Collision sends two to hospital

On Jan. 8, 2012, at approximately 4 p.m., Smithers RCMP responded to a collision east of Telkwa at the intersection of Tyhee Lake Road and Highway 16.

A red jeep SUV pulled onto the highway from Tyhee Lake Road where it was struck by a tractor trailer unit heading westbound.

The collision caused extensive damage to the Jeep and caused the tractor trailer unit to jackknife, blocking the highway.

Both occupants of the Jeep, a male driver and female passenger, were trapped in the vehicle and both were later extracted from the vehicle by emergency crews and taken to the Bulkley Valley District Hospital.

The male driver sustained serious injuries while the female passenger is in critical condition.

The driver of the tractor trailer unit was uninjured.

The Smithers RCMP and Northwest Traffic Services are currently investigating the incident and closed the highway to maintain the integrity of the scene.

An RCMP Collision Analyst from Terrace is also assisting the investigation.